Guernsey is a self-governing British Crown dependency held by the monarch of the United Kingdom though it is not part of the UK. Together with the Bailiwick of Jersey it forms part of the Channel Islands.
To attract foreign investment, expertise and talent to Guernsey, the government organisation Locate Guernsey offers immigration routes for wealthy individuals and entrepreneurs. They encourage affluent individuals to relocate to the island and/or do business there, offering them tax and other benefits in exchange for their contribution in the local economy.
Guernsey has a lot to offer to foreign investors and businessmen in exchange for their contribution in local economy.
For individuals with high worldwide income, Guernsey offers special high-income tax regimes.
Investor and entrepreneur visas are initially granted for 2 years subject to extension for another 3 years, provided the applicant complies with all the requirements.
Investors and entrepreneurs may apply for an Indefinite leave to remain to settle in Guernsey after 5 years of continuous and lawful residence there either in the investor’s capacity or running their business and complying with all the requirements.
Applicants from 18 to 65 must pass the Citizenship Test to demonstrate they have sufficient knowledge of English and life in the UK and Guernsey.
Children under 18 can be included in the permanent residence application.
To apply for citizenship in Guernsey, you must spend there at least one year as a permanent resident. So you must have spent at least 6 years in Guernsey after your first entry as an investor or entrepreneur before you apply for Guernsey (British) passport.
Guernsey permits dual citizenship, so you don’t have to renounce your current nationality.
Non-EU passport holders who wish to relocate to Guernsey and/or run their business there have two immigration routes.
In order to apply for Guernsey residency, the applicant must have £1m available and under their control. Make an investment of at least £750,000 for the benefit of the Bailiwick of Guernsey. There are three investment options offered:
Considerations
Applicants must invest £200,000 in a new or existing Guernsey company under the entrepreneur visa route. The funds must be in the applicant’s name and ready to be invested.
Requirements
Population Management Law regulates the size and make-up of Guernsey’s population to make sure that the island has the right mix of people supporting local economy and community. It determines who can work and live on the island.
Guernsey’s two-tier housing system is divided into a Local Market and an Open Market.
LOCAL MARKET properties are available only for qualified residents that have an existing, automatic right to live on the island. Subject to having an employment permit, employees, self-employed or employers, who are coming to Guernsey to work, are also entitled to live in Local market properties. However, there are controls on how long an occupier can live in a local market property. There will sometimes be other controls on the type of housing that a person can live in and the job they must do and the employer they must work for.
OPEN MARKET is available for newcomers, both from and outside the EU, that wish to establish their residency in Guernsey. It is a straightforward and rapid process. There are no limits on the length of time that families in an Open Market property can live in Guernsey. However, Open market properties are a lot more expensive than the local market ones.
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